Edinburgh Tour HighlightsCome with us across the border to Bonnie Scotland, to an ancient land of mountains, lochs and glens and to its historic capital city of Edinburgh.

Hear the history of Holyrood Palace and Mary Queen of Scots, walk along the Royal Mile, climb to the monuments on Calton Hill, see Edinburgh Castle (admission is not included in the tour price, we would advise you to buy your own ticket online to avoid queues during peak months of June-September), and the new Scottish Parliament building. Experience the breathtaking scenery of the Scottish Highlands and see if you can catch a glimpse of the mysterious Loch Ness Monster (Loch Ness & Highlands day trip must be booked as an optional upgrade).

Day 1We travel north from London Euston by high speed train with reserved seating. A journey of just over five hours means you can have breakfast in England and lunch in Scotland.

On arrival in Edinburgh city centre our guide will transfer us to the coach for a fantastic coach sightseeing tour of Scotland’s capital city. We will head to the Royal Mile that links the Palace of Holyrood House with the ancient castle on top of an extinct volcano. We will see the High Kirk of St Giles (the cathedral), the old Parliament Square and the Castle Esplanade. At the foot of this famous street we will stand outside Holyrood House and learn of Scottish Royalty, of King David, Robert the Bruce and Mary Queen of Scots.

We journey from the Old Town towards the New Town and climb Calton Hill to see the National Monument and admire the view towards Arthur’s Seat, a 250m high rocky crag that lies within the whole city. Learn of Scotland’s writers, Robbie Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson, view their memorials and see where they lived.

After a guided drive through the elegant 18th century squares and terraces of the New Town we transfer you to your nearby accommodation, a chance to have a late lunch and explore some of the excellent free museums your guide will have talked about on the tour. Perhaps a visit to the National Museum of Scotland or one of the many free art galleries. Later on there is a chance to meet up with your guide and the group in one of Edinburgh’s atmospheric old inns to sample some local ales and whisky. A great opportunity for you to get to know some other fellow group members on the tour and we promise you’ll enjoy our evenings just as much as the sightseeing.

Day 2If you have chosen our upgrade option to the Scottish Highlands and Loch Ness prepare to see some amazing scenery, with entry included to the stunning Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness (see image on right). We operate a full day out into Scotland’s wild and rugged landscape leaving city life far behind as we head into the mountains!

The coach will collect you from your accommodation and we head along the Forth Valley towards Stirling, entering William Wallace (Braveheart) country. We pass the famous battle site of Bannockburn (1314) then onto the land of Braveheart. Our guide will point out Stirling Castle and the National Wallace Monument where we will hear of his famous victory over the English at Stirling Bridge in 1297.

We follow the River Teith to Callander and the Highland Boundry Fault, rising up into the mountains to the land of Rob Roy. Entering the Trossachs National Park we pass the still waters of Loch Lubnaig, the crooked loch. Climbing even higher above Loch Earn towards Crianlarich we find ourselves on the windswept isolated desolate Rannoch Moor with nothing but marsh grass and distant mountains as far as the eye can see. After crossing one of Europe’s most sparsely populated areas we come across Glen Coe, the ‘weeping glen’ and learn of the bloody fate of the MacDonald clan at the hands of their bitter enemies, the Campbells.

Next, descend to the coast, to sea lochs with salt water and fishing boats and on to Fort William and Spean Bridge with a stop for lunch and a chance to buy souvenirs. We now enter the Great Glen and follow the Caledonian Canal in the shadow of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. The huge fault line of the Great Glen is filled with deep lochs such as Loch Lochy, Loch Oich and the most famous of all, Loch Ness. We follow the banks of this huge body of water looking for a glimpse of the famous monster as your guide tells you tales of sightings and encounters of this elusive beast. Fact or fiction? You decide.

Next stop at historic Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness with entry included and time to explore. After the Castle we continue to our northernmost point, Inverness the Capital of the Highlands before turning south through the Cairngorms and our return to Edinburgh.

Day 3There is plenty of free time on the final day until your coach transfer from the hotel to the train in the afternoon. There will be time to walk the Royal Mile, visit one of the many museums and galleries in Edinburgh, enter Edinburgh Castle or the Palace of Holyrood House, enjoy some whisky tasting for lunch or shopping on Princes Street.

Our departure transfer coach will collect you from the accommodation at 13:30 for the transfer to Edinburgh Waverley station, train departing at 14:51 for the return journey to London Euston. Arrival time in Euston is shortly after 20:30pm.

All accommodation on this tour is based on staying in a centrally located traditional Scottish family run hotel/guest house in rooms with private shower, toilet, television and tea/coffee making facilities. Properties featured on this web page are with 20 minutes walking time of Princes Street. During peak season (July and August), other accommodation of equivalent standard may also used, including university halls and quality hostels. It is essential for customers to get in touch with us first in regards room availability if you have a specific room preference (double/twin/single) during the peak tourist season.

Standard Package includes value Bed & Breakfast - Elas Guest House (or similar) 1 Star Guest House/small hotel - Bed & Continental Style BreakfastTraditional family run accommodation close to the centre of Edinburgh. Our value accommodation offers single, twin, double and multi bedded room options. The basic price includes multi bedded accommodation but you can select an upgrade to single, twin or double. If you do not select an a room upgrade you will automatically be placed in a multi-bedded room with customers of the same sex. These rooms are exceptionally good value for money, especially for single travellers who do not want to pay for single room upgrades, and a great way to meet your fellow travellers.

This is a traditional family run guest house, which offers fantastic service and a great location. All rooms have private bathrooms are decorated to a high standard. This guest house has a lounge and free wifi.

Please note:

Room types available

Multi-bedded and family rooms - between 4 and 8 people per room

Twin rooms - 2 beds for 2 people

Double rooms - 1 large bed for 2 people

Single rooms - 1 bed for 1 person

Other Hotel UpgradesIf you would like a quotation on upgrading to 3 or 4 star accommodation, please contact our office and we will be happy to provide you tailor-made price.

Travel to/from Edinburgh

Travel to/from Edinburgh by comfortable high-speed train from London.

Northbound Train (first day)

Southbound Train (last day)

Depart London Euston 06:43am

Depart Edinburgh Waverley 14:51pm

Arrive Edinburgh Waverley 12.22

Arrive London Euston 20:39pm

We also offer minibus transport to join this tour from the following locations:

Cambridge Parkside (outside Police Station) 04.15am

Ramsgate Train Station 04.00am

Canterbury East Train Station 04.25amReturn transport to the above locations is also provided and coincides with the return train.

This tour normally ends by 10pm in London. If you are travelling onwards to Cambridge, Ramsgate or Canterbury, the final arrival time will vary, as the feeder service that we provide links in with our other tours. If we are unable to transfer you by our own transportation, we will provide free rail or coach transfers to Cambridge, Canterbury or Ramsgate. In the event that public transport (rail or coach) does not offer a practical and convenient service, International Friends will provide travel by taxi, minibus or coach.

Option to make your own travel arrangements to Edinburgh - Save £30 per personIf you would like to make your own travel arrangements to Edinburgh but still join this tour, we offer a £30 per adult or child reduction. If you would like to take up this option, please enter notravel in the promotion code box, after you have entered your name(s).

Our tours to Scotland include:

Standard Tour Price (no upgrades selected)

A two hour professionally guided tour of Edinburgh

Traditional Scottish Guest house/hotel accommodation in muti bedded rooms in central Edinburgh with breakfast. If you require a twin/double or single you MUST select an upgrade in the Book this Tour box.

Services of Tour Manager for entire duration of the tour

Return travel in standard class from London Kings Cross to Edinburgh by train

Loch Ness & Highlands Upgrade - £44 extraSame as above but also including a 1 day tour into the Scottish Highlands and Loch Ness with one of our day trip partners in Edinburgh, using local, professional driver/guides in an air-conditioned executive coach. Day trip includes entry to Urquhart Castle.

Whisky & Borders day tour - £36 extraSame as Standard Tour but including a 1 day trip to Glenkinchie whisky distillery and the Scottish Borders

Our tours to Scotland don't include:

Food, except breakfast at your hotel/guest house

Entrance fees to attractions (unless otherwise stated)

NB. The typical group size on our 3 day weekend breaks to Edinburgh is 30-45 people. You will travel by luxury air-conditioned train in what will be an excellent, shared experience with one of our professional tour managers

No passport or visa required

You do not need a passport or visa to travel to Scotland from England, as Scotland is part of the UK.

What other people have said about this tour:

This trip was really more than I expected. The driver is so nice, the city guide's dress was typically as a Scottish guy.The hotel was very well located and everything was perfect. I hope to see everybody again. Thanks, Aline Lazzarotto, from Brazil - Edinburgh and The Scottish Highlands